Robert “RJ” Johnston became chief executive officer of Eurasia Group in 2013 after seven years as head of the firm’s Global Energy and Natural Resources Strategy Group. Johnston is responsible for directing firm strategy and leads oversight of research, sales, and operations teams across five offices.

As the founder of the energy and natural resources practice, Johnston works closely with corporate and institutional investor clients involved in the commodity and energy sector. Services range from board presentations to strategic planning, drawing upon his experience and analytical expertise in energy geopolitics, including the North American unconventional energy revolution, resource nationalism, energy infrastructure, and industry-civil society relations. Johnston also works closely with leading metals and mining firms and investors, assessing key trends involving country risk, supply and demand, and socioeconomic impact on the sector.

Prior to joining Eurasia Group, Johnston served as managing director of equity research at Medley Global Advisors, where he was responsible for providing political and strategic insights to clients in the institutional investment community and served as the lead analyst for global energy equities. Johnston, in addition, was a research director at UBS Warburg Energy, working directly in support of energy trading. And he previously directed internal research teams supporting oil, LNG, metals, and FX trading at Enron Global Markets. Earlier, at ArmorGroup, Johnston directed political risk research for corporate clients in a variety of markets including China, Russia, Colombia, and Indonesia.

Recent notable achievements include published contributions to the World Economic Forum, the World Energy Council, the National Petroleum Council, the International Gas Union, and the Canadian Energy Research Institute, as well participation in the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Oil Sands Dialogue, the Brookings Institution Task Forces on US Crude Oil and LNG Exports, and PwC Energy Visions, among numerous other endeavors. Johnston holds a doctorate in international relations from American University, a master’s degree in political science from McMaster University, and a bachelor’s degree in political studies from Bishop’s University.